Have You Seen This?

The picture above depicts symptoms of a foliar disorder on crapemyrtle termed “Rabbit Tracks”. Since the mid-1980’s, growers have noticed this disorder on cultivars of the L. indica x L. fauriei cross such as ‘Natchez’, ‘Miami’, ‘Muskogee’, ‘Tuskegee’, and ‘Tuscarora’. Symptoms of this disorder typically are characterized by bronze, elliptical spots surrounded by chlorosis along both sides of the mid-vein. As symptoms become more severe, distortion of the leaf margins (margin curl) may occur. This foliar disorder occurs on the second flush of growth in the spring (May-June) with subsequent growth of second flush often minimizing symptoms during growing season causing the affected plants to appear to “grow out” of the disorder.

Currently, Dr. Jeff Sibley, a horticulture professor at Auburn University, is researching potential causes of the disorder. Along with finding its cause, part of the research includes gathering information from growers, landscapers, and retailers/wholesalers about their professional experience with the disorder and their opinion of the disorder’s significance to the industry. The South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association would like to encourage members to participate in an online survey to aid in the research of this disorder. The survey consists of 12 simple, multiple choice and two optional, short answer questions. The survey is open to growers, landscapers, retail/wholesale businesses, and researchers, irregardless of disorder knowledge and may be accessed at the following web address:

www.auburn.edu/rtsurvey

Your participation is essential and invaluable in providing researchers with information concerning this disorder and improvement of the horticulture industry.

Surveys are to be completed and submitted by 11/30/08. Questions or concerns may be addressed to:

Matt Wilson
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Horticulture
101 Funchess Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5408
wilsoms@auburn.edu